
“First Lie Wins” is an interesting psychological thriller written by Ashley Elston. The themes of lies, deception and hidden identities are presented in a deep and exciting way in this book. The story takes readers on a twist where a new mystery is revealed at every step, and the boundaries of trust and deception are broken at every turn. This book is like a game, where the situation gets more complicated after every lie. Like the life of the story’s heroine Evie Porter, this book also exposes a perfect life, which hides deep and untold truths.
First Lie Wins: Full Summary
Evie Porter’s life seems like a picture perfect one. She has a lovely boyfriend Ryan Sumner, who is a successful and charming man. She is very much loved by her friends and family, and every step she takes is full of confidence. She is also very successful in her career and is appreciated by everyone. But the truth is that Evie’s life is not as perfect as she shows to others. Her real name is not Evie Porter, and her life is based on a lie.
Evie is actually an agent on a mission, sent on missions by a mysterious man, Mr. Smith. Each time she has to adopt a new identity, go to new places, and achieve a new goal. Her job is to infiltrate a person’s life, get all the information about them and hand it over to Mr. Smith. This is her life, and this is her world.
This time Evie’s mission is Ryan Sumner. As she gets closer to Ryan, she realises that she can break free from this fake world and live a real life. But, this time she has no room for any mistakes. A mistake from last time cost her a very dear one.
The biggest twist comes when a person with Evie’s real identity comes to the same city. Now Evie has to balance her fake identity with her real identity so that her real identity is not revealed. She has to ensure that she completes her mission successfully and achieves her goal before her secret is revealed.
Analysis of characters
- Evie Porter: Evie is a complex and mysterious woman. Evie shows others the illusion of her lifestyle, but in reality her life is based on lies and deceit. Her story is a journey of self-discovery, where she searches for her true identity.
- Ryan Sumner: Ryan, Evie’s current target, is a charming and successful man. His presence creates many confusions and complications in Evie’s life. Although Ryan appears to be a simple and honest person, his role in the story is not completely clear.
- Mr. Smith: Mr. Smith is the unknown person who sends Evie on the mission. Not much is revealed about his identity and motives, but his role emerges as a mysterious and domineering role in the story.
Main themes
- Identity and Lies: This book depicts the search for identity and a life of lies. Evie’s struggle is not just to hide her true identity, but this story also shows us how dangerous the consequences of living with a lie can be. Behind every lie is another lie, and these lies complicate Evie’s life.
- Trust and Betrayal: The relationship of trust and betrayal is shown on a deep level in the book. When a person has to see his trust broken, it affects him not only personally but also psychologically.
- Self-discovery and Freedom: Evie’s journey is not limited to the mission only, but it is also a journey of self-discovery. When Evie searches for the truth despite her false identity, she starts moving towards her true freedom. This book teaches us that sometimes we do not need to lie to ourselves to find our true identity.
So, “First Lie Wins” is an engaging and thought-provoking thriller. The story not only challenges your mind but also makes you think about how and when a lie starts in your life and turns into a big truth. Evie’s story will make you realize that no identity in life is stable, and behind every lie there is a truth hidden.
FAQ’s
This thrilling novel is written by Ashley Elston, an American author known for her thriller-mystery writing. Ashley has previously written books in the young adult (YA) genre, but “First Lie Wins” is her first adult thriller, which has impressed readers and critics alike.
This page-turner novel was published in early 2024. With its release it joined the New York Times bestseller list and was chosen by Reese Witherspoon’s famous book club.
It is published by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking (part of Penguin Random House) in the US, while Headline Books bought the rights in the UK. The book has been translated into 20+ languages worldwide.
“First Lie Wins” is a multi-layered thriller that blends spy drama, psychological suspense, and romance. If you love stories like “The Girl on the Train” or “Gone Girl,” this book is perfect for you.
The “crisis of identity” is the most powerful theme in this novel. Every lie that Evie tells takes her further away from her true self, and this question echoes throughout the story: “Is it possible to live without lies?” There is also profound commentary on betrayal, love, and morality.
The title reflects a basic principle of the game of deception: the first lie changes the whole game. This is proven true in every mission Evie tells, especially when she enters Ryan Sumner’s life. Even the readers keep oscillating between Evie’s lies and the truth.